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The 2008 PWA Surf World Cup Podersdorf - Day Three

A promising start to day 3 of competition turned into a frustrating wait as the wind refused to stick around

Day three of competition welcomed competitors with overcast skies and a solid 15-20 knot onshore wind. While the riders met for the 9.00am skippers meeting, a sizable crowd congregated along the shores of Lake Neusiedler in preparation for the start of heat nine.

As if by clockwork, the end of the skippers meeting coincided with the wind dropping to virtually nothing. A frustrating hour commenced, as the wind blew for literally minutes at a time and then died back to a couple of knots.

At 11 o’clock the wind returned to a steady force 4-5, and the judges announced that heat nine would run at 11.30am. In the meantime, the world’s top freestylers treated the growing crowd to an awesome display of the latest moves literally meters from the beach, as they warmed up for their heats. Sadly the spectacle was short lived and as competition time approached, the wind backed off once again, forcing the heat to be abandoned before it had even started.

Most competitors spent the afternoon lounging on the sofas in the main event tent, waiting for the wind to arrive. Some used the time out to spruce up their equipment pit tents, which get judged later in the week on their general look. The best ‘pit’ scoops 1500 euros to be split between its riders.

When it looked like the day’s competition was going to be declared over, the wind one again started to blow. Within minutes the sailors were on the water getting to grips with the marginal conditions. For the second time, heat nine was announced to be going ahead and the riders were given their notice. All too familiarly, the wind dropped shortly after it kicked in and showed no signs of building again. The day’s competition was declared over at 6.15pm with no second round heats completed.

Tomorrow is forecast to have solid wind throughout the day. The skippers meeting is at 8.00am, with a first possible start of heat nine at 8.30am.